For all the ink spilled on the subject of Catholic Clergy sexual abuse hardly nothing is talked about abuse by the Catholic Laity in the Church itself. Why is that? Are we trying to make ourselves exempt?
Unlike Priests and Brothers that basically are poor and cannot hire good Lawyers to defend themselves again 30 year old allegations perhaps the laity does not have that problem.
Lopez over at her piece Faith and Renewal Amidst Scandal recounts very recent events out West
The article told how, after receiving an allegation this month of abuse by a priest back in the 1970s, the archdiocese of Denver took "swift and public" action against him. (The priest, the Rev. Melvin Thompson, now 74 years old, claims he is innocent.) Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput suspended the accused from all church and priestly activities -- despite the fact that the accused has, in Chaput's words, "been a popular and effective priest, respected by his brother priests and well-loved by many parishioners" and that there had been "no previous allegation of any sexual misconduct with a minor" in the priest's long career. But, as Chaput explained in his letter to the faithful in parishes where Thompson has served, the painful move is "a necessary course to protect people's trust in their parish and in the archdiocese."
It's horrendously painful for victims to have to relive abuse, and it's unjustly painful for an innocent priest to be accused. But the Church is doing its due diligence, necessarily and vigilantly. The Denver police won't be investigating because the case falls outside the statute of limitations, but the archdiocese has no such luxury, and Thompson has no such protection. The archdiocese, following norms now in place throughout the United States that were established by the national bishops' conference after the wave of scandals in Boston, is working to guarantee the protection of children, the beneficiaries of so many of the services of the Church.
The story of Thompson's accusation provides a snapshot of the way the Church currently operates. As New York's archbishop, Timothy Dolan, has put it, "just as the Catholic Church may have been a bleak example of how not to respond to this tragedy in the past, the Church is now a model of what to do."
Well lets hear it for Swift and PUBLIC action on this credible allegation. By the way what is credible? Credible means possible and from what I see that basically means just match up time and place. Was this Priest at this Parish , School, etc at the same time as the child. If so boom we got credible and it may be publicized.
The question is if the Laity is being held to the same standard. Lets say this was not some celibate Priest but a Catholic School teacher or Coach with these allegations. Would his name be all over the papers or would the Diocese be MUCH MUCH MUCH more hesitant in doing this action because the person accused might sued.
We have long passed the day and age of where there so many Priests and Sisters, and Brothers to attend to every one our needs in the Church. In fact that day was long passed when the incidents of sexual abuse hit its peak decades ago.
Where are what should be numerous and I mean numerous allegations against Catholic Laity. Studies show us that in there should be a great deal as to we see in the general population.
I mentioned a few days ago that the Southern Baptist Sexual Abuse scandal is starting to get more worldwide attention. See via Stop Baptist Predators In the London Times!
Now this Baptist Lady and lawyer and victim on her blog and her main site does talk about Baptist Clergy abuse. However she also does a good job of highlighting LAY abuse that occurs in the Baptist church that is "covered up" and not publicized. This is why the Baptist example must be looked at because there is a tremendous amount of lay involvement.
In the Catholic Church we have and had tremendous Lay involvment with kids. Think of the massive Catholic School Sytems. Think of the coaches, of the youth and CYO heads, of the CCD teachers, of Catholic people doing lay work with the poor under the Churches name, of Catholic Lay people working as Missionaries etc etc etc!!
THE NUMBER IS HUGE!!! Yet we hear nothing in this arena. I rarely see the headline
"The Dicoese of "x" informs that Mr Smith Teacher of Our Lady of X Catholic school has an allegation of sexual abuse against him from 1978. He taught at these following schools and was active in these Parishes with Youth. We encourage all other possible victims to come forward"
Why? Because perhaps Mr Smith would sue the Diocese.
Now no doubt the Catholic Church is now the safest palce in America now to have your children. Every person ordained or lay, paid or unpaid that comes in contact with kids is largely having to attend mandatory classes on child protection and are screened themselves.
However what about the past?
Well what about the future. If you are a Lay person working for the Church does the Diocese have a file on you? Does it contain letters or memos of unsubstantated rumors or allegations? Perhaps you need to start asking these questions.
It is odd that even on Catholic sites that talk about empowering the Laity they are silent on this. Are they concerned? If this is about protecting children and getting justice (which it is) why is this being ignored. The Catholic lay people I mentioned "move on" too and might be abusing.
If you work in the Catholic Church as a Lay person what are your rights? Will the Church defend you and help you with legal counsel? What is the level of proof that must be had before the Diocese splashes your name all over the papers? Is it more than credible?
No one seems to be asking these questions. Why?
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